Smalling is looking for a big reaction

CHRIS Smalling has promised Manchester United will produce a far better FA Cup display against Chelsea tonight than they did at Stamford Bridge in October.

United suffered their biggest defeat under Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese’s former team ran out 4-0 winners.

Almost five months on, United have not lost in the league since and Mourinho has the first major trophy of his Old Trafford tenure with the EFL Cup safely tucked away.

But Chelsea head into the FA Cup quarter-final showdown as favourites with Antonio Conte’s side 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League, and United just back from a stamina-sapping Europa League trip to Russia.

“Chelsea have been by far the most consistent team in the league and they deserve to be in the position they are now,” Smalling told MUTV.

“But I think we are on a good run and we will give a much better account of ourselves than we did last time.”

Smalling, in particular, had a torrid time in that match, but said he was suffering from an injury.

“In hindsight, it was probably not the game I should have played in,” Smalling said. “But as a player you try to push yourself to play in games.

“That was a big one and I am a player who doesn’t want to miss those games.

“In the lead-up to that week, we had drawn with Liverpool and won in Europe too, so we were starting to build momentum.

“Then that game at Chelsea completely knocked us – it was definitely one of our worst performances of the season. But from then on we have kicked on.

“We all learned a lot of things from that game and, not only do we have progress in this competition to play for, we also have our pride as well.”

United won the FA Cup for a record-equalling 12th time last season, the 2-1 Wembley final defeat of Crystal Palace drawing them level with Arsenal in the competition.

But United have never successfully held on to the trophy in their history.

“The FA Cup is a tough trophy to defend,” Smalling said. “So to be a part of history by retaining the cup would be brilliant.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard has a spring in his step and the trophy in his sights.

The Blues have won the FA Cup four times in the past 10 seasons, but not since Hazard moved to Stamford Bridge in June 2012.

And the in-form Belgian is hoping to end that wait.

“The FA Cup for all the fans does mean something special,” he said. “My target is to give everything and only if we win the trophies will I be relaxed.

“It is a key moment in the season and if we want to be champions we have to give everything.”